The Difference between the Alawite and the Shiites
The Difference between the Alawite and the Shiites
By Dr. Ahmed Adeeb Ahmed
Some people claim that Alawism are a branch of Shiism. Those are either liars or ignorant about Alawites. This claim is for several reasons:
The first is that we follow the approach of Amir al-mu’minin (Prince of faithful) Imam Ali (PBFH) and Imams after him.
The second is the merger that was in the era of the Imams between the commoners and special people and the most special people. So, the confusion happened and historians were not able to distinguish between commoners and special people.
The third is the emergence of Sedition, distractions, and depravity in the times of the Umayyad and Abbasid which were of the most difficult periods the Islam have experienced, where its meanings have been distorted and its teachings have been reversed, but the Alawites, although they were not numerous, they remained conservative on the covenant and the charter imposed by the Imams (PBUT), and remained committed to the origin, from which the other sects branched such as Shiite, Ismaili, Zaidi, Ishaqite, and so on.
Returning to the reign of Amir al mu’minin (Ali), the Muslims were sections:
- Alnakithoon (oath breakers): They are the people of the battle of the camel, who reneged the loyalty to Amir al mu’minin imam Ali (PBFH).
- Al-Kasitoon (unjust) the people of Al-sham.
- The Renegades (Kharijites).
- The people of Basra who went astray in their loyalty.
- The people of Kufa, whom Imam Ali accused of treason, and rebuked them because they had refrained from war, later some of them reneged with Imam Al-Hussein in Karbala, who described them, saying: “God’s curse on the oppressors Al-Nakithein those who break the oaths after-emphasized”, since then, they started beating themselves up and crying.
This band was called (Shiite doctrine), their tendency emerged and their political orientation took its shape with the entry of other elements in Islam, which had the greatest influence in Shiism.
It is the doctrine of picturesque titles hidden under attractive names, so their deeds and opinions were spiteful to Alawites. That is, the name of this doctrine was born after it did not exist, where they had other designations before that.
The doctrine of Shi’ism as a term is to believe the views and ideas unrelated to Amir al-mu’minin Imam Ali, the Messenger of Allah Muhammed, the Imams (PBUT), Master Abu Shuaib (AS) or Master Al-Khusaibi (AS) because the principles of this doctrine based on the diligence and measurement. The followers of Shi’ism adhere to superficial sciences and deny the real sciences. They don’t have the chance to learn about what is deeper than crusts, so they have gone astray away.
While, the Alawite creed is distinguished from other doctrines by the concept of worship which focuses on inner knowledge and comprehension of narrations rather than on legislation and narration. We are aware that worship can only be achieved when combined with the knowledge, as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “The best among you in knowledge is the best in faith”.
The Alawites are of the “most special people” who adhered to the true Muhammadan Islam, and believed in the guardianship of Amir al-mu’minin Imam Ali (PBFH) in compliance with the Quranic text: “Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed- those who establish prayer, and give Zakah while they Kneel” (5:55).
This verse was revealed about Imam Ali (PBFH) as it is known in all the books of interpretation, thus who believes in this Guardianship, from the Companions of the Messenger Muhammed (PBUH) until today and until the advent of Al-Mahdi Al-Muntazar (AS), are the “Alawites”, in the naming and in the truth.
Explanation of terms used:
- Guardianship: Responsibilities of the guardian who is a defender, protector, or keeper.
- PBUT: Peace be upon them.
- PBFH: peace be from him.
The Alawite religious scholar Dr. Ahmed Adeeb Ahmed
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